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FAQ

FAQs related to Joslin DRC P&F submissions

1. When is the application due?

There are two deadlines, one in January and one in February. The first deadline is for electronic submission of an INTENDED PROPOSAL. These are due Januarry 4,2019. The second deadline is for submission of a FULL APPLICATION. These are only accepted if you submitted an intended proposal and were invited to submit a full application. Electronic submissions of all full applications are due February 15, 2019.

2. What types of forms are required for submission?

All applicants are required to log in (http://pandf.joslinresearch.org/) and submit proposals using the downloaded PHS 398 forms. A major purpose of the P&F program is to prepare new faculty for the successful submission of competitive NIH grants, hence the requirement for using the NIH format and NIH forms. We also use data collected on the forms for renewal of the DRC parent grant. Please note that although the PHS 398 instructions say the biosketch should follow the old 4 page limit, we ask that you use the new format that limits the biosketch to five pages. Following the new biosketch format will allow us to include the biosketch we have on file in the upcoming DRC Competing application if necessary.

3. What is the format for the scientific portion of the P&F?

As noted above a major purpose of the P&F program is to help prepare new faculty for successfully submitting competitive grants to the NIH. We therefore require submissions to be in the NIH format, but the Research Plan is limited to five pages. The five page Research Plan should include 1. Specific Aims, 2. Significance, 3. Innovation, and 4. Approach, as outlined by the NIH for R01 submissions. Given the reduced length of the P&F, modify section lengths accordingly but include all sections following NIH guidelines. The rest of the items in the Table of Contents (i.e. 5-15) should be included if they fall within your proposal (i.e. if your project involves animal research, include item 10; if you have a SUB, include item 13). However, only the 1. Specific Aims, 2. Significance, 3. Innovation, and 4. Approach sections of the proposal are required to be within the 5 page limit.

4. Are there specific requirements given the new NIH guidelines regarding clinical trials?

Yes, P&F projects that will support clinical trials of more than minimal risk to a participant must receive prior, written approval from NIH. You must document whether your application will support such a clinical trial at the time you apply. Should your application be selected for funding, we will request additional information to be provided to NIH officials. Please see the “Human Subjects Research” page.

5. Why is the EIN required on the application?

The EIN is a required field in the PHS 398 forms. We also need this information for awardees from sites other than the Joslin Diabetes Center.

6. Are IRB/IACUC approvals required at the time of application?

In many cases applicants will already have relevant institutional IRB or IACUC approvals, and studies can begin immediately upon initiation of the award. While IRB/IACUC approvals are not required at the time of application, if an award is made neither experiments nor spending can begin until all institutional approvals are in place.

7. What type of budget is required?

P&F funding is limited to $50,000/year in direct costs. Submission of a detailed budget and justification helps the reviewers and oversight committee appropriately evaluate the proposal. P&F awards do not cover indirect costs.

8. How much money is available for each Pilot and Feasibility grant?

Pilot and Feasibility awards are for up to $50,000 per year for a maximum of two years. Awards are made annually, with the second year of funding contingent upon adequate progress in Year 1 and the absence of new overlapping funding, as documented in a required Progress Report to be submitted during the 4th quarter of the first year of funding. These awards are for DIRECT costs only. As with any grant, if you wish to receive a second year of funding submit a 2 year budget request.

9. How many Pilot and Feasibility grants will be funded?

The total number of Pilot and Feasibility grants awarded during any individual cycle is determined by (1) the availability of Pilot and Feasibility Program funds and (2) the quality of the applications received. In general, the Joslin Diabetes Center DRC aims to fund two new Pilot and Feasibility projects each year and two renewals of the previously awarded P&Fs.

10. What happens once I submit my application?

All applications will be reviewed by 2-3 or more reviewers. Decisions will be based on reviewer scores as well as applicability to the DRC mission. Final decisions will be made by an oversight committee and letters will follow.